Thursday, August 25, 2005

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The President's suggested reading

The Washington Examiner asked losers who check their e-mail in late August political junkies what they thought George W. Bush's summer reading should be in Crawford. You can read the responses -- including mine -- here.

I will say, though, that Bush's actual selections -- "John Barry's The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History, Mark Kurlansky's Salt: A World History and Edvard Radzinsky's Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar" -- aren't too shabby. The first choice, in particular, might have some policy relevance for the future.

That said, Jonathan Rauch's selection is the one that stands out.

posted by Dan on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM




Comments:

Wasn't this story shown to be false?

posted by: Hemlock for Gadflies on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



"Salma Hayek: An Unauthorized Biography" by Patricia J. Duncan

Oh wait, that's for Dan's reading list...

For the Prez, I recommend Henry Hazlitt's "Economics in One Lesson." The thesis can apply to foreign policy as well.

posted by: Alan K. Henderson on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



I believe there should just be one item on Bush's reading list and he should read it over and over: "Mexifornia". After reading that a few times he can write a book report.

posted by: The Lonewacko Blog on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



Any of the "Classics Illustrated" comics. The words in the voice boxes are still sorta big for him, but the pitchurs are real colorful.

posted by: R Burgos on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



I don't think he's quite finished reading "My Pet Goat" has he? Is it wise to be suggesting that we increase his work load?

posted by: Ben Donikain on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



Whassamatta Salt? As I remember it, salt was a lot like oil as a commodity - hard to get, people bought it from foreign suppliers and were ready to beggar themselves to get it.

The author was really a jerk about it when told Bush was reading his book (something on the lines of, "he can read?") but the subject seems worthwhile.

posted by: dave s on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



Amazon and the publisher list "Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar" as due for publication October 25. That date may why some consider the list false.

Did GWM get a pre-release copy or is the list wishful thinking? Could someon who knows about publishing speak to the liklihood that a readable (bound) copy would exists this summer?

Melissa

posted by: melissa spore on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



Amazon and the publisher list "Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar" as due for publication October 25. That date may why some consider the list false.

Did GWM get a pre-release copy or is the list wishful thinking? Could someon who knows about publishing speak to the liklihood that a readable (bound) copy would exists this summer?

Melissa

posted by: melissa spore on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



Did GWM get a pre-release copy?

He's doing the review for The New Criterion

posted by: Mitchell Young on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



GWM?

George W. Mush?

posted by: Andrew Steele on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



Lists like this are obviously not mean for the president but to inform readers of titles those interviewed value so much they would recommend them to the president. Burgos comment was typical of those of other liberals in the article linked. It reveals an arrogance and condescension toward this president that is at variance with the majority of the American people. And an absence of serious books expousing ideas they support.

posted by: Richard Heddleson on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



My arrogance and condescension towards W is "at variance" with the majority of the American people? I didn't know there WAS a variance. "At odds," perhaps, or even "at cross-purposes." But "at variance?"

In any event, I believe that the "majority of the American people" -- at least that slim majority that re-elected him -- is reported to love the lovable lunk because he's a half-wit, not in spite of it.

Maybe he could read some of the books that I read while I was fighting his war in Iraq, like "Paris 1919" or "The Ethics of Destruction" or "War Without Mercy" or even "The Iran-Iraq War." You know us liberals -- even in the midst of combat, always trying to, you know, "learn" things, rather than assume them. 'Course, it was hard to find time to read, what with having to constantly pluck all those rose petals from my uniform....

Oh, and where were *you* while this liberal was fighting W's war? Lines backed up at the recruiting station?

posted by: R Burgos on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]



I sure hope all journalists aren't as snotty, pompous, and trivial as those who responded, but I am beginning to think I hope in vain. The whole thing is pretty embarrassing, actually.

posted by: chuck on 08.25.05 at 08:37 PM [permalink]






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